Pours a dark brownish amber with a thin film of light tan head and a thick ring of small bubbles. Sweet nose of plum, grape, bubblegum, candi sugar and light yeast. Medium thick body with light carbonation and a clean fruity finish. Plum, dark fruit skin, green apple and sweet chocolate dominate flavor. Not quite as complex as the best of the style, and getting a little muddled with age, but still enjoyable.

Appearance: Pours a rather dark mahogany with an inch or so of foam; leaves quite a few strands of lace but doesn't have the classic Belgian look

Smell: Dates and figs, with a strong undertone of toffee

Taste: Dates and figs, up front, with almonds and toffee building by mid-palate; brown sugar and cinnamon spices enter, after the swallow, but the flavors fade into the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation

Overall: As a Quad, the beer falls short and will not have the longevity one would expect from the style; it lacks the yeasty Belgian complexity and, in many ways, is more like a Barleywine than a Quad; still, it is an enjoyable brew, just not up there with the best examples of the style